relationships

You’re Googling “couples therapy vs marriage counseling” at 11 p.m. because you and your partner just had the same fight you’ve had five times this month, and you’re finally ready to get help. But now you’re stuck: Do you need couples therapy or marriage counseling? Does it even matter? Short…

Society is built for couples. So when months of dates, swiping, and small talk with strangers lead nowhere, it’s easy to land on one conclusion: Something must be wrong with me. Unsuccessful dates don’t mean you’re the problem. Dating is full of moving parts—undisclosed expectations, lingering trauma, timing, circumstance—and most…

If your relationship feels strained—maybe conversations turn into arguments more often, or you’re struggling to connect like you used to—you might be wondering if couples therapy could help. Many people are asking the same question: Thriveworks data shows that interest in couples therapy grew 39 percent in 2024, outpacing all…

“I can’t stop thinking about it.” “I keep replaying it in my mind.” “I just want to let it go.” These are things Nicole Johnson, LPC, author of Reparenting Your Inner Child frequently hears in her therapy practice. Whether someone has been wronged by a friend, made a huge mistake…

Picture this: You’re at the grocery store when someone ahead of you erupts into a screaming rage over a simple checkout delay. Or maybe it’s closer to home: A friend who seems calm one moment, then explodes into violent anger over something seemingly trivial, leaving everyone around them shaken and…

I had a picture-perfect childhood: loving parents, a nice house, a big yard and plenty of toys. My only concerns were going to school and playing with my Barbies, running off to soccer practice and riding my scooter, bugging my brother and watching Dragon Tales. Unfortunately, it never dawned on…

You’ve probably experienced a season of life that was the opposite of flourishing: You weren’t struggling with your mental health in a clinical sense, but you weren’t thriving either. Maybe you were stuck in an unsettling limbo—an awkward “in-between” of one life transition and the next. You felt unmotivated, lethargic,…

There’s something uniquely satisfying about absorbing wisdom while you’re doing something else—whether you’re commuting, cooking dinner, or taking a walk. Podcasts let you gain insights and inspiration or simply be entertained by real voices without having to stare at another screen, making them perfect for our overstimulated lives. There’s no…

Toxic relationships aren’t always obvious from the start. Some evolve quietly—one eye roll, one dismissed feeling, one “I was just joking; don’t be so sensitive” comment at a time. Many relationships erode through “one thousand paper cuts,” says psychologist Morgan Cutlip, PhD, author of A Better Share. Over time, what…

A recent survey of people in North Carolina commissioned by Thriveworks reveals interesting patterns surrounding residents’ emotional state and what they do to improve their mental health. Check out the insights below, including which factors impact mental health most, who they turn to for support, and more. North Carolina’s Mental…

Feeling angry or resentful toward family members is a common experience that can arise from various psychological, emotional, and situational factors. Whether it’s a parent, sibling, or extended relative, conflicts within families can make maintaining harmonious relationships challenging and stressful. The good news? There are strategies to navigate relationships with…

Sometimes, the world can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to believe that people might be at the root of our frustrations. Coexisting with others isn’t always simple; differences between us—or even shared traits that reflect things you don’t like about yourself—can make interactions challenging.  When spending time with others no…